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Internships & Fellowships

Arts organizations on and off campus offer internships and fellowships to students interested in getting hands-on experience in everything from set design to arts administration. Here are some resources:

Arts Council Summer Fellowships are designed to support enrolled students university-wide undertaking original creative projects over the summer. Learn more about deadlines and submissions requirements.

Internships
Each year, approximately ten undergraduate and graduate students work as interns at the Smart Museum. Mentored by Smart staff, interns gain valuable knowledge of museum practice while refining professional skills. Working in a variety of areas-external relations, curatorial, education, development, business management, and registration-interns provide key behind-the-scenes and frontline support to the Museum. Smart Museum interns are typically hired in the fall for one year, renewable positions.

Docents
Made up of University of Chicago undergraduate and graduate students, the Smart Museum’s docent team helps visitors of all ages connect with art and ideas. After completing a noncredit training course, docents lead guided tours of the Museum and act as educators and facilitators for the Smart’s multi-visit tour programs for elementary school students. They also get their hands messy leading the art-making activities during Art Afternoons and Family Days.

Administrative internships are supported by the Kemper Foundation’s New Kemper Arts Fellows program. Court Theatre is one of six Chicago-area arts organizations that receive this funding. Interns work in the areas of general management, development, marketing & communications, casting, and special events (Gala planning). Twelve Kemper fellows are selected each year to work three to five weeks during a 10-week academic quarter. Descriptions of the internships are available on the Court Theatre website.

Production Internships

Production internships are supported by the Metcalf program, which is administered through Career Advising and Planning Services (CAPS). Court offer Metcalfs in directing, stage management, dramaturgy, and design. These internships are staggered, with two positions open in the spring and fall for the theater’s six-week production process.

Court also hires work-study eligible students to work in its Casting, Education, Development, Finance, and Marketing offices throughout the year.

Organizations off campus

Some Chicago arts organizations that offer Internships or adjunct positions: